Supporting undergarments



Nov. 21, 1961 H. A. OWEN EI'AL SUPPORTING UNDERGARMENTS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 16, 1957 ATTORNEY Nov. 21, 1961 H. A. OWEN ETAL 3,009,464

SUPPORTING UNDERGARMENTS Filed Dec. 16, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 xxx INVENTORS HAROLD A. OWEN EL/ZABETH 6. CLARA ATTORNEY Nov. 21, 1961 H. A. OWEN ETAL SUPPORTING UNDERGARMENTS Filed Dec.

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS HAROLD A, OWE/V ELIZABETH 0. CLARK BY WM/ [Q k jm ATTORNEY Nov. 21, 1961 H, owEN ETAL SUPPORTING UNDERGARMENTS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 16, 1957 m ENA L WW 00. 4m E M WM w& w W

ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,009,464 SUPPORTING UNDERGARMENTS Harold A. Owen and Elizabeth C. Clark, Dover, DeL, assignors to International Latex Corporation, Dover, Del., a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 16, 1957, Ser. No. 702,838 1 Claim. (Cl. 128-536) This invention relates to supporting undergarments and the like for controlling and supporting the human female form and the clothing accessories associated therewith and is particularly concerned with a supporting underg-arment having on the body-side thereof an array of spaced body-gripping knosplike protuberances positioned at the side regions of the garment for maintaining the garment in a fixed position on the body of the wearer during all exertive motion.

One of the most troublesome problems confronting the manufacturer of supporting undergarments, such as corsets, corslets, garter belts and the like, is providing a construction which will maintain a relatively fixed position on the body of the wearer even during vigorous exertive motions thereof and hence adequately control and support the body and the accessories attached to the garment. Supporting garments, because of unequalized stresses which are placed on the various component parts of the garment during wearing, tend to slip, ride or move out of normal position thereby causing discomfort and relaxing of support when needed. In the case of generously proportioned bodies, these stresses are accentuated, so that even an initially properly fitted garment does not give adequate support and contouring of the body in use.

Supporting undergarments constructed in accordance with the present invention have strategically positioned on the surface on the body-side portion of the garments an array of spaced small knosplike protuberances having a high degree of surface friction so that an anti-slip surface capable of breathing is provided when the garment is against the body of the wearer. When these knosplike protuberances contact the body, they act as a plurality of frictional or anti-slip elements that lightly but firmly grip the skin and hold the garment in position thus preventing riding up or slipping. The array of frictional elements is particularly effective when it extends longitudinally at the side regions of the garment. This arrangement, wherein the arrays of the anti-slip elements are located off to the sides from the front and rear center panels, places the gripping action at points on the body having the least motion, including the hips and thighs, and thus retains the supporting panels in their proper positions as they are stressed and strained during movement of the body. Also, in the case of the supporting function for clothing accessories, the gripping action prevents slipping so that the support is always maintained under constant tension.

Frictional elements in the form of body-gripping protuberances, knobs or nodules, are spaced so that they are surrounded by small areas of non-frictional porous contacting surface. This arrangement permits circulation of air and the dissipation of perspiration which accumulates between the skin and the surface of the frictional elements during the wearing of the garment. By utilization of strategically placed areas of spaced protuberances in the garment, there is provided maximum comfort and support since the garment is held firmly in a non-slip position against the body. Since the frictional elements are only on the body-side of the garment, clothing, such as dresses or slips, can be worn over the garment without frictional interference, since such clothing is free to slide and slip in a normal manner over the outside surf-ace of the supporting garment.

The array of small body-gripping frictional protuberances, being closely spaced, presents a plurality of small frictional mounds which, when. lightly pressed against the skin of the wearer, maintain comfortable intimate contact with the body so that positive gripping is produced. The background material containing the frictional elements may be one-way stretch elastic fabric which is foraminous in structure so that the garment has the ability to breathe (dissipate body perspiration) to eliminate any hot, sticky or clammy feeling.

The frictional elements may be formed by weaving, knitting or like processes, so as to produce a foraminous mat-like fabric capable of incorporation in a garment stretchable in a girth-wise direction. This is particularly desirable where the gripping elements are a part of the elastic members of supporting undergarments for the lower torso of the human body. The mat-like fabric may be made by weaving into the fabric bare rubber threads having a high degree of surface friction in such a manner that raised portions of the bare rubber threads are exposed on one side of the fabric so as to present a contacting surface of spaced knosplike protuberances in a one-way stretchable fabric. Arrangement of the frictional protruding elements in girth-wise extending rows (in the direction of stretch), with each element or protuberance alternately spaced so that no one element lies directly beside the adjacent element, forms a woven mat or fabric which when utilized in strategic positions in a supporting undergarment holds the garment in a fixed position on the body. Alternatively, rubber thread can be sewn in one surface of the fabric in such a manner as to provide spaced knosplike protuberances on one surface thereof.

It has been found that the supporting undergarments embodying this invention are particularly adapted for supporting clothing accessories, for example, in the case of garter belts where support of the stockings is essential and for use as girdles which, in addition to supporting clothing accessories, control and support the body by various panels which must be exactly positioned to provide comfort, good health as well as molding and styling of the body to beautify the human female form.

It will be appreciated that these and other desirable effects are achieved by garment constructions of the type shown in the drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, it being understood that such embodiments are shown by illustration only and not by way of limitation, in which drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front view in elevation of a girdle showing the front panel construction thereof and the position of body-gripping sections located on each side of the front panel,

FIGURE 2 is a back view in elevation showing the rear panel construction of the girdle shown in FIGURE 1 and the body-gripping sections located on each side of the back panel,

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken. along the line 33 of "FIGURE 2 showing frictional elements interwoven in a fabric background to form body-gripping protuberances,

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of an enlarged fragment of the body-side surface of the fabric showing spaced body-gripping protuberances in relationship to the surface of the fabric,

FIGURE 5 is a front view in elevation showing the front panel arrangement of a girdle with side panels ha ing body-gripping elements positioned therein,

FIGURE 6 is a back view in elevation showing the back panel arrangement of the girdle shown in FIGURE 5 with side panels having an array of small body-gripping elements positioned therein, and

FIGURE 7 is a view in elevation of the body-side surface of a garter belt showing an array of small frictional body-gripping elements located in side panels.

Referring to the drawings, it will be noted that with the girdle in upright position the arrays of anti-slip elements are substantially bisymmetrically disposed front to back and side to side, i.e. the girdle of this invention is divisible into two similar halves by either of two planes passing through the vertical axis at right angles to each other. Thus a plane passing through the vertical axis of the girdle would divide it into a right half and left half, each similar to the other in regard to the arrays of anti-slip elements. Similarly, a plane passing through the vertical axis of the girdle at right angles to the first plane would divide the girdle into a front half and a back half, each of which would be similar to each other with respect to the anti-slip elements. The vertical axis is the median vertical axis of the upright girdle. Girdle is constructed from several elastic panels to form a bodyencircling garment stretchable in the girth-wise direction. Front panel 11 is formed from inelastic fabric adapted to support the abdominal and frontal regions of the body of the wearer. The side edges 12 of the front panel are contoured to provide a pleasing appearance to the garment and to place the area of support in the proper places. Attached to each contoured edge of front panel 11 is a vertically disposed panel 13 stretchable in the girth-wise direction having its edge contoured to fit in abutting relationship with contoured edge of the front panel and sewn thereto so as to produce a front section 14. The vertically disposed panels 13 have on the body-side thereof an array of vertically extensive body-gripping protuberances or frictional elements which when placed against the body of the wearer hold the front panel in a fixed and supported position (see FIGURES 1 and 2). To each outer edge of vertical panels 13 is attached a side panel 15 stretchable in the vertical direction for hugging and molding the thighs and hips of the wearer. Each panel is in abutting relationship with an opposite edge of the frontal section 14 and secured thereto by suitable stitching 16.

The garment is continued in body-encircling construction with attachment to the outer edge of each side panel 15, rear vertical panel 17 stretchable in a girth-wise direction having on the body-side thereof an array of body-gripping protuberances similar in construction as in panels 13 (see FIGURES 1 and 2). As in the ease of the vertically disposed panels 13, the panels 17 have on the body-side thereof an array of body-gripping protuberances for holding the garment in place to prevent it from slipping and sliding and to retain the various panels and sections in a fixed position during exertive motions of the body. Outer edges 18 of each rear vertical panel are contoured to receive therebetween a contoured back panel 19 which is attached by suitable stitching to complete the body-encircling garment. The back panel 19 has a top section 20, whose side edges are cut so as to flare the top portion of the section outwardly, and a bottom section 21. Both the top and bottom back sections forming the back panel are stretchable in the vertical direction to accommodate elongation of that portion of the garment during bending of the human torso. The various panels sewn together provide different degrees and directions of stretch so that the proper contouring is applied to those portions of the body requiring restriction and support. By positioning of the array of body-gripping protuberances as shown, any riding or sliding of the garment when it is supporting clothing accessories is resisted by the body-gripping protuberances (see FIG- URES 1 and 2). Thus, there is formed a body-encircling garment stretchable in the girth-wise direction which remains in supporting position due to the array of frictional elements against the body while supporting the clothing accessories and attachments thereto and controlling the form and shape of the body of the wearer.

Attached to the body-encircling garment on the inside of the top and bottom marginal edges thereof is an elastic binding strip 22 which provides an edging and finish to the top and bottom of the garment. Attached to the bottom marginal edge of the garment at both the front and back thereof are two evenly spaced garters 23 arranged so that each garter is in the proper position for support of the stockings of the wearer. In the upper portion of one of the side panels 15 is a conventional type zipper 24 extending from the top edge of the center of the panel downwardly to a position near the girth-wise median of the garment. This zipper arrangement allows for the opening of the garment at the top portion thereof so that it can be easily placed on the body of the wearer.

The vertically disposed panels 13 and 17 are in the form of a one-way stretchable woven fabric or mat 25. Woven in the fabric on one side thereof are bare rubber threads which have a high degree of surface friction. The bare rubber threads are woven so that loops or short lengths thereof protrude above one surface of the fabric (see FIGURE 3). It will be appreciated that other similar threads may be used which would present a high degree of surface friction with respect to the body of the wearer, such as rubber or plastic coated threads and the like. The threads in the mat are arranged so that they protrude upwardly from one side thereof to form a series of protuberances or knobs 26 which are knosplike in shape. This arrangement of knosplike protuberances forms a series of spaced frictional elements which effectively grip the body when lightly pressed thereagainst.

The spaced frictional protuberances or elements are arranged in rows 27 so that each two frictional elements have a space 28 therebetween and the frictional elements of one row lie in a position that is directly in line with the spaces in adjacent rows. This arrangement provides frictional elements staggered with respect to each other to form a series of channels of serpentine or wavy form. The lines of staggered elements are positioned in a girth-wise direction in the elastic fabric side panels of the supporting undergarment, each exposed length of bare rubber being longer than it is wide and having its long dimension oriented in the girth-wise direction of the girdle, i.e. in the direction perpendicular to the length of the vertical side panels (see FIGURE 4). This array of spaced elements when pressed against the skin of the wearer produces a body-gripping action so that the garment is maintained in a non-slip position.

It also will be appreciated that the pressing of the frictional elements against the skin causes the surface of the skin to contact a large portion of the surface of each frictional element to provide a high degree of gripping of the surface of the body while still providing small area around the frictional elements which are not in frictional contact with the body. These areas allow for breathing or circulation around protuberances so that the accumulation of body perspiration can be quickly dissipated through the woven fabric. Also the girth-wise stretching of the fabric causes the girthwise-elastic protuberances to elongate and more effectively grip the body. This effect is particularly experienced when the garment is subject to vigorous exertive motion on the body of the wearer. It has been found that the size, shape, and relationship of the frictional element depend upon the type of support and contour of the body which must be produced. Preferably a distance between elements (spacing) of from about onefourth to about three times the length of the frictional element is used, although the spacing may be varied depending on the placement and number of elements required to produce the desired support. The length of the frictional elements depends upon the construction and type of garment, but it has been found that a length from ten thousandths of an inch to about two hundred fifty thousandths of an inch produces excellent results. The height of the frictional elements depends upon the method of affixing them to the fabric and in the case of weaving,

which is preferred, a bare rubber thread of from five thousandths of an inch to about forty thousandths of an inch in thickness can be used. The principal requirement for thread size is that it must produce a series of protuberances of sutficient height so that they will grip the surface of the body without causing discomfort to the wearer. It has been found that satisfactory gripping of the body is produced when less than half the surface of the fabric is free from protuberances but improved results have been obtained with seventy-five percent of the fabric having protuberances thereon. Very effective gripping of the body was obtained when the number of protuberances were from about 200 to 2,000 per square inch. It will, of course, be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the number, size, spacing, height, and frictional surface char acteristics of the protuberances are inter-dependent factors which control the degree of gripping of the body.

FIGURE 5 illustrates another form of the present invention in which a girdle similar in construction to the girdle heretofore described is shown. The girdle has a contoured front panel 31 formed from inelastic material with an elastic gore 32 positioned in the bottom thereof to provide for extra girth-wise stretch in the bottom portion of the front panel. Attached to each edge of the front panel are vertically disposed panels 33 which form a frontal section 34 of the girdle. Sewn to each edge of the frontal section 34 are vertical side panels 35 stretchable in the girth-wise direction for hugging and forming the hips and thighs. On the body-side of each panel 35 is an array of body-gripping protuberances having the same construction as heretofore described. Positioned between the opposite vertical edges of panels 35 is a vertical back panel 36 formed from two elastic sections and sewn at the side edge to form a body-encircling garment. The top section 37 is stretchable in the girth-wise direction while the bottom section 38 is stretchable in the vertical direction to accommodate the bending of the human torso. The top section is flared outwardly at the top thereof to hold and smooth out the flesh which generally protrudes at that portion of the body.

Attached to the body-encircling garment on the inside of the top and bottom marginal edges thereof is an elastic binding strip 39 which provides an edging and finish to the top and bottom of the garment. Positioned in the bottom marginal edge of the garment at both the front and back thereof are two evenly spaced garter attachments 40 arranged so that each attachment is in the proper position for support of the stockings of the wearer of the garment. In the upper portion of one of the panels 33 is a conventional type zipper 41 extending from the top edge thereof downwardly to a position near the girth-wise median of the garment.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG- URE 7 in which a garter belt type of garment 45 is shown having an inelastic front panel 46. One vertical edge of the front panel has a vertical row of hooks 47 attached thereto while the other vertical edge is secured to a side panel 48 stretchable in the girth wise direction. The side panel on the body-side thereof has an array of body-gripping protuberances for holding the garment in fixed posi tion when on the body of the wearer, as heretofore described. The outer edge of side panel 48 has attached thereto an inelastic rear panel 49 adapted to cover and support the buttocks. A second side panel 50 is attached to the other edge of rear panel 49 so as to complete a body-encircling garment. The side panel 50 also has an array of body-gripping protuberances on the body-side thereof and the two side panels 48 and 50 are positioned so as to fit over the hips of the wearer to anchor the garment in place. Secured to the free edge of section 50 is a vertical row of eyes 51 adapted to receive in locking engagement the vertical row of hooks 47 when the garment is in position on the body of the wearer. At the bottom marginal edge of both the front and back panels of the garment are pendent garter support attachments 52 which support the stockings of the wearer. Also, around the top and bottom marginal edges of the garment is a binding strip 53 which provides a finished appearance to the garment.

It will be appreciated that many arrays of the frictional elements may be used in the body-gripping compressor garment of this invention; also that the number, size, shape and height of the body-gripping protuberances may be varied to give the desired gripping power for supporting the stress placed on the garment by the conformed portion of the body. Thus, the knosplike protuberances when lightly pressed against the body functions to support and conform the body and support clothing accessories by anchoring the garment to the body in a simple, easy and comfortable manner without the discomfort occasioned by garments which slip, ride, or twist on the body of the wearer. Also, cutting or chafing of the skin of the wearer by the top edge of the body-encircling garment is reduced by the positive retention of the garment in position. Thus, the wearer of garments of this invention enjoys comfort with assurance that the garment will perform both its molding and holding functions without shifting or slipping even during vigorous exercise.

The garment construction illustrated by this invention is particularly effective for use in lightweight supporting undergarments, such as girdles, garter belts or other types of support belts, for the body-gripping elements provide holding of the garment in a fixed position even under severe stressing and straining thereof.

Although the present invention has been described with particularity with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art, after understanding the invention, that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and the appended claim should therefore be interpreted to cover such changes and modifications.

What we claim is:

A girdle having girthwise-inelastic frontal and dorsal center panels, a plurality of vertically extensive arrays of girthwise-elastic, staggered, anti-slip elements on its inner surface, each element having a lengthwise dimension oriented in the girthwise direction of the girdle, said arrays being off to the sides from the said frontal and dorsal center panels and substantially bisymmetrically arranged front to back and side to side.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,775,509 Camp Sept. 9, 1930 2,326,476 Mayer Aug. 10, 1943 2,579,547 Cadous Dec. 25, 1951 2,638,130 Posson May 12, 1953 2,646,828 Hesse July 28, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 966,845 France Mar. 15, 1950 1,117,643 France Feb. 27, 1956 

